Form clamp



March 17, 1931. AA. H. sYMoNs FORM CLAMP Filed March l2, 1928 Tun- UL nu u .Hu .u

Patented Mar. 17, 1931 l UNITI: STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR H. SYMONS, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO SYMONS CLAMP & MFG. COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F ILLINOIS FORM CLAMP Application filed March 12, 1928. Serial No. 260,908.

The invention relates generally to clamps for holding together the separable sections or frames that form a mold into which concrete or other plastic material is poured and set in the construction of buildings and other concrete structures. More particularly the inven tion relates to that type of clamp which comprises a set of independent or separate bars each having a series of spaced wedge-slots at one end thereof and a bracket or block at the other end which is adapted to receive and hold against lateral displacement the slotted and intersecting end of the adjacent bar and Vto cooperate with a wedge to elfect movement which operates to clamp or draw the two bars against the sides of the moldsections so as to hold the latter in connected relation during the pouring and setting periods.

The primary object of the present inven- 29 tion is to provide a clamp of this type in which the blocks or brackets have integral sockets whereby they are rigidly secured to the unslotted ends of the bars and project to one side thereof so as to form elongated hold- 5 ing members for supporting the Wedges and edectively maintaining the slotted and intersecting ends of the bars in rigid relation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a braclret of the aforementioned char- 30 acter which is of new and improved construction and is reinforced so as to withstand in an efficient manner the comparatively great pressures or forces to which it is subjected P during use thereof. 8? A further object of the invention is to provide a form or column clamp which is etlicient in operation, may be readily adjusted into its operativen` position and embodies 1nterchangeable parts so that no fitting or selection is necessary preparatory to assembly.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a clamp for use in building concrete structures which is of new and improved construction and may be easily and economically manufactured.

@ther objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present clamp construction will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly delined by the claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a transverse sectional View of a mold to which is applied a clamp embodying the invention;

i Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the clamp elements, that is, one of the bars and the bracket attached thereto;

` Figure 3 is an enlarged section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 2, showing in dotted lipes the manner in which the intersecting end o1 the adyacent bar is held and rigidly locked to the bracket;

Figure l is an end View of the bracket 70 shown in Figure 3; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the brackets.

The invention is exemplified in a clamp for securing together in squared relation the four sides or sections ofa mold for forming a column of concrete, cement, or any other plastic material. The sections are separable and together form a rectangular mold in which the concrete is poured and allowed to set, as well understood in the art. The clamp which forms the subject matter of the present invention comprises four bars 10 which are made of any desired length and are preferably formed of strap iron. One end of each bar is provided with a longitudinal series of transverse openings or slots 11 which are spaced equidistantly and are adapted to receive a V-shaped wedge l2. The other ends of the bars are provided with brackets 13 which are adaptedto receive and hold the slotted ends as shown in Figure l. In applying the clamp to a mold, the bars 10 are posi tioned against the sides or sections respectively and in such a manner that the slotted ends intersect the ends bearing the brackets 1:3 at the corners of the mold. rlhe slotted ends of the bars are held against outward movement by the brackets and the latter cooperate witl the wedges 11 to eifect relative increment of the clamping relation. Y

Each bracket is formed of a one-piece ting and comprises a substantially square bars and urge them into :'trem'e unslotted end of the arwith vwhich ie bracket is associated. f rllhe plate is rigi ly eld in this position by a rivet 15 whichenends through aligned' holes. 16'and1'17 j unched crc ne margin of the plate '14 is anend wall T1ncl abuts against one of the side edges zi and operates to prevent theA plate fnf or turning relatively to said side wall A18 and Yparallel to the pianU oi ene bar and' th plate 111 is a holding member lor arm 19 for receiving the slotted end of the' adj .icent bar. rlhis arin comprises aV loweiwall 2O an urne-r wall 21 which are'spaced rt by wall 22 to form an open-ended elongated chainber into which the*intersecting bar-end is edeewise or laterally insertable.

rEhe upper wall 22 has formed therein' a pair of"'longitudinally extending slots 2l Y* which' are alignedwith pair of slots i25 formed in the lower wall 2O and forni therewith sockets for one of the wedges 12.' The slots 24s and 25 are spa distanceswhich are d. between the slots 11 with the result that there is practicedly always one .combina-tion of slot'sllhll, 25) through which the opervent than the spaces may insert the wedge and upon di' i the same down, effect relative movement of the arm and bar for clamping purposes. The

y chamber 23.

er 'farces of the walls 20 and 21are.v proded acent the Vweogeslots with a pad or forcedv portion V26 which operates' to i strengthen the parts that contact with` the wedge. I`Vlhe inner face of the lower wall 2l) ifces together fornita comparatively arg J. l e

fthe riveted end of the bar so that the two 1 q C Al.

ng upon which the uppermost bar res s and is slidable. The side wall 22 is disposed the so-called outer Jart of the arm bracket and forms an abutment for the outer edge `of the bar which extends throne' rEhe inner end of the projects beyond the end vwall 18 Vand forms an extension ,2T which is integral wit .the end of the plate 14;. This extension together with said plate and the end Wall 18 forms a socket Vin which thennslotted end of the bar that is associatedv with the bracket lits and is locked against relative movement. having aan project laterally with respect to this socket the slotted end of theadjacent barns effectively and securely held in place. TF1 Ll @m eh n'. .t i

ivtiitnerinoio, t e im supihioi s anc kniers a two-point bearing for the wedge.

ate le which vlits 'against one face of thev in the bar and' plate respectively.l

laterally from the upper' ed apart respectivelyv is coplanar with respect to the upper vface To prevent the upper and lower walls of `the bracket from being forced apart or broken and to strengthen generally the bracket so that it ywill be rigid and capable of withstanding great outward pressure or force, a pair of reinforcing members 28 and 29 are pio'videc The member 28 is lll-shaped and is positioned adjacent the outer end of the arm. T his member is inter/ral with and extends around the lower, side and upper v alls, as illustrated in Figures 3 5. rlhe iber 29 is L-shaped, one leg being formed integral ith the inner end margin of the nppervvallf. The other leg of member 29 s joined to the side wall 22 adjacent the u f nre of extension 2? end to the onter end of the end wall- 18 (Figure 4)'. The mein-ber 28 is positioned inwardly of the extreme ends of the Walls 20. and21 ancy the latter are Cutreceive and cooperate with wedge 12 in the erent that the slots andy 25 do not register -with the slots 1l.

ln actual practice it is only necessary to use one Wedge with each bracket. rllo prevent this Wedge from being lost itis connected to the bracket by a chain 31. The end link of this chain passes through a hole Vor opening 32 which is formed in the connecting or inter nediate legof the lil-shaped reinforcing member 28. By securing the chain to the reinforcing member` in this manner the operative parts of thebrac'ket are not weakened and no extra anchoring means is necessary.

To permit the bars and brackets to be used in aninverte'd position, i. e." a rposition in which the arms of the brackets 18 project inwardly instead of outwardly as shown in Figure 1, the-walls 2O 21 are formed so that their inner edges are disposedbetweentlie side edges of the bar that extendsthrongh the chamber 23 (Figure 2). Thus said inner edges do not Contact with the sections or sides of the mold. Since each bar. and bracket is the saine, the parts of the clamp are interchangeable'and'it is unnecessary to r Eke any selection preparatory to assembly.

v rllhe clamp is operated as follows: rllie barsv 10 are arranged against the sides ofthe mold respectively in sucha manner that the slotted ends lap or intersect the .unslotted ends at the corners of the mold or form and project mold-sections. In this manner the inlld ,is

held together' While the concrete or plastic material is poured and allowed to set, ldlhen it is desired to remove the clamp, slight tam ping on the small ends of the Wedges operat to release t ie latter so that they may be ivitlidrawn and the hars dismantled.

The clamp herein disclosed ocerates to hold effectively together thc separable sections of a column mold, incliides brac new and improved eonstri ion, and i; ay manufactured at a reasonable comparatively loiv cost.

Although the clamp has been shown and. described as consisting ot tour bars and ntilr izing` brackets which have holding arms ei;- tendina at right angles to the rivet bearing ends of the bars it is to be understood that more or less bars may be used dependingr noon the shape of the mold ,r torni and that the angle oi' the arms may be changed accordingly. Itis also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified Within the scorge of the appended claims, With-ont departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, vvliat l claim nevv and desire to secnre by Letters Patent, is:

l. A Jform clamp consist/ingrV eta series ot independent nnits adapted to be placed against the sides ot the :torni respectively, each unit comprising a bar having' slots a dto other end and projecting trom side thereof, arm having an elongated transversely extending chaniher formed therein, the slotted ends et the bars in the chambersof the arms when the unitsare assembled, and Wedge means ei:- tending,` through the slots and bearing,r again st portions of the arms to clamp the bars aroiind the term.

2. A form clamp consisting of a series oit independent units adapted to be placed against the sides of the torni respectively, each unit comprising a barihavinc, slots adiacent one end ther-coi= and an arm ri 'idly 3ecnred to its other end and projecting from one side thereof, said arm liwingz,- slots and an elongated transversely extending chamber :termed therein, the slotted ends oi the bars tting in the chambers et the arms when the nnits'are assembled, and Wedges extending; through the sots in the arins and bars operative to clamp said bars around the torni,

3. A. form clamp consisting oi a series ot independent units adapted to be placed against the si des oi the Jterm respectively, e ach unit comprising a bar having slots adjacent one end thereof and a one-,niece bracket havy ing a soci-:et termed therein in Which the other end oi' the bar tits and is ri ,idly secured, said bracket embodying an arm projecting laterally from the bar and having an elonfg; ted transversely extending,l chamber formed therein, the slotted ends oi' the bars little in the chambers ot the arms when the Units are assembled, and Wedges extending; through the slots and bearing, against portions of the to clamp the bart around the form.

al. ln a clamp oi the character described, the combination of a pair ot bars, the ends et which adjoin each other, the end of one et bars :1,1 formed therein a longitudinal series ot slots, and incarne for holding; the bars in clamaing relation comprising; a bracket rigidly secured to the end ot the other bai' and having` a transversely extending arm projecting trom one side ol said other bar, said arm having an elongated chamber :termed therein in which the slotted bar-end lits and is loncitnflinally slioable, and a Wedge entendin. through one ot the slots and bearing; against the arm.

5. ln a clamp ot the character described, 'the combination oit a pair ott bars, the ends ot which adjen each otheiythe end oi one oi, the bars having' formed therein a longitudinal series ot slots, and means for holt the bars in clamping relation comprising; a one-piece bracl-:ct rigidly secured to the end ot the other bar and having a transversely extending; arm projecting from one side of said other bar, said arm consisting of upper and lower Walls and a single side Wall can tendingv between said upper and lower Walls and 'forming therewith an elongated open sided chamber in which the slotted bar-end edgciviae and is longitudinally slidable, the ripper and lower Walls having slots therein and being ot auch Width that the unconnected side edges thereof entend between the sides oic the slotted bar when the latter is in the chanib f and positioned against said side ivali, and a Wedge extending through the slots in the walls and said one bar.

(i. ln a clamp oi the character described. the combination oi a pair ot bars, the ends ot which lap each other, the end et one oi the bars having termed therein a longitudinal series ot' slots, and means for holding the ha s in clampingl relation comprising onepiece bracket embodying -plate secured to the end ot the other bar, a Wall connected to the plate and fitting` against one side of said other bar to lock said plate and bar against relative movement, and an arm connected to the Wall and extending transversely with respect to said other bar, said arm having; an elongated chamber ilormed therein in which the slotted banend lits and is longitudinally slidablo, and Wedge means extending through one oit the slots and bearing against the arm.

7. In a clamp et the character described, the combination et a pair of bars, the ends of which lan each other, the end of one of the bars having formed therein a longitudinal series of slots, and means for holdingthe bars eo i in clamping ,relation comprising a oneepiec'fe bracket embodying a plate secured tothe end of the other bar and an arm connected lto the plate and extending transversely With respect 'to said other bar, said arm comprising upper and lower Walls and a. side v, all, said Walls 1forming together an elongated chant ber in VWhich the slotted bar-end lits vand is longitudinally slidable, said sidewall being extended so as to abut against rthe end of said one bar to l'oolrth'e brack'etand bar against relative movement, and Wedge means extendiing through onev of the slots and bearing against the arm;

8. A one-piece bracket for use in securing together the crossed ends of a pair of form clamping bars, comprising means at one end thereof-'llorin'ing a plate for receiving the end oi one of thebars and a shoulder or abutment for engaging the end edge of said one bar and an arm projecting from said means so as to extend laterally With respect to said one bar, said arm having an elongated chainber formed' therein for receiving the end of the other barl and embodying slots through Which a-'Wedge may be inserted to hold said other bar in connected relation With the' arm.

9. A onepiece 'bracket' tor use in securing together the-crossed ends Vof a pair of form clamping' bars; comprising means at one 'end thereof forming a` socket for receiving the endv of one ofthe bars, an arm proJ'ecting from said means so as to extend laterally With respect to said vone bar, said arm coinprising upper and loWer Walls and a sidev Wall formingv an elongated chamber for receiving the end of the other bar, and a U shaped reinforcing member connected to'and e extending around said Walls.

l0. A unit for ao'rm clamp, comprising a bar, and ay one-piece cast metal bracket rigidly 'secured to onefend of the bar and proofMarch, 1928.

vided With an elongated arm projectingv laterally vtrom the ybar and having a longitudinal y; chamber therein for receiving a second bar and slots through Which a Wedge may be inserted to hold said'other bar in connected re-y lation With the arm. y

' Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 3rd day ARTHUR n.. svivioivs. 

